Better Takes Practice: A Conversation with Coach Corey Jordan about Official SAT Practice

This interview is the first in an occasional series that will highlight how athletic coaches in Texas are using Official SAT Practice with their teams. It has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The College Board spoke with Coach Corey Jordan, defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and recruiting coordinator for the West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. He’s used Official SAT® Practice with his athletes for a year.

Q: How did you first hear about Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®?

A: “Two ways. First, one of my students came up to me and said ‘Coach, I’ve got this app that gives me practice questions [for the SAT].’ He increased his SAT score by 140 points using Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. That got me wanting to learn more.

Then I heard about it through Joe Martin [assistant executive director of THSCA]. He told me it was more than an app. He said it came with a coach dashboard, a connection to the PSAT/NMSQT®, and practice questions."

Q: What did you think of Official SAT Practice when you saw it for yourself?

A: “I loved it. In study hall, students can pull out their phones or Wi-Fi devices and access Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy to help them with any subject, from geometry to Algebra 2 to world history.

If a student doesn’t have homework to do during study hall, I assign something [through Khan] so they can practice.”

Q: Besides working through problems, how else have your athletes benefitted from Official SAT Practice?

A: “Getting them used to the question format helped. We also stress repetition. When they spend time answering questions, it’s like athletic conditioning. It gets them ready to experience the full test. It’s active learning. They’re doing, not just listening.”

Q: As an educator, have you benefitted from using Official SAT Practice?

A: “I learned how to use the coach dashboard in the spring. It’s useful for me as the recruiting coordinator to see my players’ scores in one place.

The dashboard lets me work with teachers. We ask them about their lesson plans and assign students questions that reinforce what they’re learning in class."

Q: Outside of the normal school day, are you looking into other ways to use Official SAT Practice with your students?

A: “We’re planning an SAT Prep –Classroom. Wednesdays after school, we’re setting up time for students to work on areas where they need help.

We’re also a feeder pattern school, so we attended parents’ night events at our feeder middle schools and talked to athletic coordinators about starting their students on Official SAT Practice.”

Q: What would you say to a coach who’s thinking about using Official SAT Practice with their students?

A: “It lets coaches be tutors. It opens doors for students. If they score higher [on the SAT], they increase their opportunities.”

The College Board and the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) have partnered to connect athletic coaches and student-athletes in the state with free Official SAT Practice resources and information. Interested in connecting coaches in your state with these resources? Send an email to athletics@collegeboard.org.